Wade May
Trail Reviews: 14800 points
Questions Answered: 700 points
Off-Road Experience:
6+ years
Off-Road Style:
Overlanding
My Garage:
- 2016 Toyota 4Runner (1.5" lift, 33" tires)
Hi! I'm Wade.
After 43 years as a pilot, split evenly between flying fighters for the Air Force and Boeing 737s for the airlines, my feet are firmly planted on the ground. Seems I spent a lot of my flying time looking out the cockpit window thinking, "Yep, I could drive that trail."
My trips range from a few days to a month. Most are solo in my silver 4Runner named Bullit. We range over all the southwest exploring remote places and trying to get as much dirt under the wheels as possible. Occasionally I get in some hiking, backpacking, and bushcraft as well. My most ambitious overlanding plans include a trip to Tuktoyaktuk and Dead Horse.
Sharing my experiences as a member of the Trails Offroad crew is a true pleasure.
Hope to see you on the trail soon.
My Garage (1)
2016 Toyota 4Runner
Lift Size: 1.5"
Tire Size: 33"
OME Lift, Metal Tech Front Bumper, Warn Winch, CBI Rear Tire Carrier, RCI Skid Plates, Metal Tech sliders, Gobi Stealth Rack, Onboard ARB Dual Compressor, LRA extended range fuel tank, Gaia Pro, DeLorme InReach. Goose Gear sleep platform with drawer and kitchen module. Dual battery system with Blue Sea DC to DC charger, shore power, and 120 watt solar. National Luna 50 fridge. Partner Steel cookstove.
My Trail Reviews (41)
(within last 6 months)Indian Fort (02/26/2021)
Southwestern archeology never ceases to inspire me. This is one of many similar Hohokam sites in Arizona and perhaps the easiest one to get to.
Little Pan Mine Road (02/25/2021)
Little Pan Mine Road is a quick and fun little drive that can make a nice loop with parts of AZCO Mine Road. The water crossing is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you are gonna get.
Kofa Queen Canyon (01/13/2021)
Great drive through a very picturesque canyon. Overall it is pretty easy, but the end of the trail is overgrown with brush. I did some trimming, but still got a lot of pinstriping. Camped in the canyon and had a very peaceful and relaxing evening.
McPherson Pass (01/11/2021)
McPherson Pass is one of my favorite trails in Kofa NWR. Besides being very scenic, the trail is only sparsely traveled. Keep your eyes open for desert bighorn sheep.
King Road (01/09/2021)
King Road is a popular camping destination, but its true value is providing easy access to the western side of the Kofa NWR, a truly remote and stark landscape.
Polaris Mountain (01/09/2021)
Fun little side trail ending with some great mountain views. Loved camping at the end of the trail.
Polaris (01/09/2021)
The history of Polaris and the North Star Mine is interesting. Nice view of Kofa Butte as well.
Pine Flats (10/30/2020)
The Prescott National Forest has rescinded the Horse Fire related road closures. Trails are now open.
Poland Road (10/30/2020)
The Prescott National Forest has rescinded the Horse Fire related road closures. Trails are now open.
Horse Thief Basin (10/30/2020)
The Prescott National Forest has rescinded the Horse Fire related road closures. Trails are now open.
Backway to Crown King, Arizona (10/30/2020)
The Prescott National Forest has rescinded the Horse Fire related road closures. Trails are now open.
Coal Camp Road (10/30/2020)
The Prescott National Forest has rescinded the Horse Fire related road closures. Trails are now open.
Crown King Road (10/30/2020)
The Prescott National Forest has rescinded the Horse Fire related road closures. Trails are now open.
Big Bug Mesa (10/30/2020)
The Prescott National Forest has rescinded the Horse Fire related road closures. Trails are now open.
Senator Highway (10/29/2020)
The Prescott National Forest has rescinded the Horse Fire related road closures. Trails are now open. However, the Forest Service is asking the public to avoid Senator HIghway between Crown King (Waypoint 1) and Palace Station (Waypoint 8) until further notice.
Schnebly Hill Road (10/22/2020)
The Coconino National Forest website is erroneously reporting Schnebly Hill Road is closed. Though it does close seasonally, it is currently open. The Forest Service is trying to get their website corrected.
Pine Flats (10/16/2020)
The Horse Fire NW of Crown King has led to temporary closures and restrictions on area trails.
Crown King Road (10/16/2020)
Crown King Road is closed at Cleator, Waypoint 15, in response to the Horse Fire NW of Crown King.
Crown King Road (10/16/2020)
The Horse Fire NW of Crown King has led to temporary closures and restrictions on area trails.
Coal Camp Road (10/16/2020)
The Horse Fire NW of Crown King has led to temporary closures and restrictions on area trails.
Poland Road (10/16/2020)
The Horse Fire NW of Crown King has led to temporary closures and restrictions on area trails.
Horse Thief Basin (10/16/2020)
The Horse Fire NW of Crown King has led to temporary closures and restrictions on area trails.
Backway to Crown King, Arizona (10/16/2020)
The Horse Fire NW of Crown King has led to temporary closures and restrictions on area trails.
Big Bug Mesa (10/16/2020)
The Horse Fire NW of Crown King has led to temporary closures and restrictions on area trails.
Lonesome Beaver (10/12/2020)
Totally enjoyed driving up Lonesome Beaver. This was my first foray into the Henry Mountains. It won't be my last. Camped at the Lonesome Beaver Campground and had the whole place to myself.
South Cottonwood Road (10/12/2020)
The no trespassing signs at first are a little off-putting. But the drive is actually quite nice. Enjoyed the show put on by the deer while camped just east of the end to the trail.
Henry Mountains Road (10/11/2020)
Henry Mountains Road is a delight to drive. Unfortunately, I didn't see the buffalo, so I have an excuse to come back. Did see lots of deer and there are great views all along the trail.
Crescent Creek (10/10/2020)
Crescent Creek is a pleasure to drive. The scenery changes constantly. Nice campsites too. Great way to get into the Henrys.
Nasty Flat (10/09/2020)
Nasty Flat was a complete and wonderful surprise. The road derives its name from the flat area on its northwestern end. Flat areas are hard to find in the Henrys. But the road offers so many visual gems as it snakes along the steep slopes of the massive Henry Mountains. I will be back.
Bull Creek Pass (10/08/2020)
Stunning mountain views and golden aspen make this a must-do trail in the Henry Mountains. Loved every second of the drive.
Lone Cedar (10/08/2020)
A fun and pretty drive. And of course the only gateway into the Henry Mountains from the east along Highway 95. Can't wait to come back and camp against the sandstone buttes.
Beef Basin East (10/08/2020)
A friend suggested I drive Beef Basin East and hinted it might be a good addition to Trails Offroad. He was right. The trail is an absolutely beautiful way to get up into the Abajos, one of my favorite mountain ranges.
FR 96 (09/10/2020)
I always enjoy time up on the Rim. Besides being a pretty drive on its own, FR 96 cuts off a lot of distance and travel time to get to some absolutely great places. Just hanging out at the trailhead is fun.
Buck Springs (09/08/2020)
The cabins and surrounding meadow were fantastic. Meeting a guy who was a fire guard there in the 70s made it even more special. Loved the campsites on the edge of Buck Springs Canyon. While the trail was a very relaxing drive, the end was disappointing. Not sure why the Forest Service closed the trail there.
Hospital Ridge (09/08/2020)
This pleasant and easy trail is a camper's paradise! The visit to historic Buck Springs Cabin was a real treat.
Dane Ridge (09/07/2020)
Great drive through the Coconino. Highlighters were Dane Cabin/Spring, some nice does that posed for me, and of course the views from the Mogollon Rim.
FR 513 (09/06/2020)
This was a very relaxing and fun trail. Even the cows were friendly. The side trails offered a bit more of a wheeling challenge. Was fantastic to get out of the summer heat into the cool pines. Went on a weekday and pretty much had the whole place to myself.
FR 513A (09/06/2020)
Another fun little trail in the FR 513 group. Did not see a single vehicle along these trails, but it was a weekday.
FR 513B (09/05/2020)
This was a fun trail. Some serious mud on the northern end from the summer rains.
Buck Springs Ridge (09/04/2020)
Really a tale of 3 trails -- very easy, easy, not as easy. Seeing the effects of the Tinder Fire and how the forest is recovering was quite interesting. I never have a bad time up on the Rim!
FR 513C (09/04/2020)
This trail offered a bit more of a wheeling challenge. Was fantastic to get out of the summer heat into the cool pines. Went on a weekday and pretty much had the whole place to myself.